Ranibizumab treatment for choroidal neovascularization from causes other than age-related macular degeneration and pathological myopia

Abstract

Aim: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to causes other than age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or pathological myopia (PM).

Methods: Retrospective and multicentric analysis of 21 eyes with CNV. Nine eyes had angioid streaks, 5 inflammatory chorioretinal diseases, 3 central serous chorioretinopathy and 4 idiopathic CNV. Follow-ups lasted ≥3 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ocular coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus examination were assessed monthly.

Results: Sixteen eyes (76%) completed 180 days of follow-up. Overall BCVA increased by +9.8 letters with treatment (p = 0.015). Visual acuity improvements ≥15 letters occurred in 43%. A significant reduction in OCT central thickness was observed. No cases of severe visual acuity loss, systemic or ocular side effects were registered.

Conclusion: Short-term results of intravitreal ranibizumab for CNV unrelated to AMD or PM are encouraging. This treatment may constitute the only option for some of these patients.